Tomorrow marks the start of “Mashed Potato May.” But before you run off to buy spuds and butter, you should know that Mashed Potato May is a quirky name for a reading challenge, not an invitation to make the beloved side dish. “It refers to books you are sure you’ll love, but you’ve put off reading — like leaving the mashed potatoes for last in your meal,” Book Riot explains, adding, “Mashed Potato May is a readathon that encourages us to finally pick up those mashed potato books, whether you’ve been putting them off for months, years, or decades.” Learn more and get some prompts to help you decide which books to choose.
Must Reads
No such thing as TMI: an argument for being open about your life
Meet Chonkers: The Hefty Sea Lion Taking San Francisco (and the Internet) by Storm
Pier 39
Now that Punch is doing well (phew), here’s another lovable animal to set your sights on. Chonkers is a sea lion who has captivated onlookers near and far after beingspotted lounging on San Francisco’s Pier 39 — and, frankly, he’s hard to miss. While the average California sea lion weighs around 600-800 pounds, Chonkers is about three times that.
Unlike the rest of the pack that typically gathers for sunbathing on the pier, Chonkers is a Steller sea lion, a species more often seen near Washington or Alaska. That explains why he’s roughly 2,000 pounds, as surviving cold winters requires more blubber. Popular Science reports that Chonkers was likely drawn to the Bay Area for a combination of its ample fish supply and the chance to chill out with some friends. (Sea lions are thigmotactic, which is a fancy way of saying they like to cuddle together for warmth and security.)
The striking sea lion first arrived at the pier in March and has unsurprisingly gone viral for his large presence, with one reporter noting that the sound of him plopping on the deck is reminiscent of “an oak tree falling down.” Videos show him causing a stir reemerging from the water and enjoying the view before taking a dip.
Harbormaster Sheila Chandor told The Wall Street Journal he’s been a good neighbor so far. “He doesn’t have anything to prove, and that works in our favor,” she said. If you want to try to catch a glimpse, check the pier’s live sea lion cam.
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Health
Tiny Brain Implant for Treatment-Resistant Depression Is Approved for Human Studies
Motif Neurotech
The Food and Drug Administration greenlit the human study of a small implant designed to treat severe depression that has not responded to other treatments, like talk therapy or medication. The device from Motif Neurotech delivers electrical stimulation to certain brain circuits, activating a network that’s typically underactive in major depressive disorder.
About the size of a blueberry, the implant is placed in an area of the skull that doesn’t penetrate brain tissue, thereby reducing the risks associated with invasive neurosurgery. It’s also engineered to run wirelessly (i.e., no batteries) and can be implanted in a 20-minute outpatient procedure.
The now-approved study will evaluate safety, device performance, and early signs of effectiveness, enrolling about 10 patients whose depression has not improved after trying multiple therapies. “The goal for this technology is that it would be the mental health equivalent of a continuous glucose monitor for diabetes,” Jacob Robinson, the co-founder and CEO of Motif, said in a statement.
Culture
Teacher’s Viral Rendition of Iconic Opera Song May Land Him a Spot on a TV Talent Show
Coopers Town House / SWNS
“Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Sweet Caroline,” make room — “Nessun Dorma” may soon join the ranks of go-to karaoke songs. Earlier this month, a video of creative arts teacher Benjamin Gillham performing the opera classic went viral, leading the producers of The Voice UK and Britain’s Got Talent to reach out.
The 37-year-old was out celebrating the birthday of his friend Laura Beever in Liverpool, England, on April 7, when the duo decided to do some karaoke at a pub called Coopers Town House. Gillham performed “You’re My World” by Cilla Black and Beever sang a song by Eminem before she signed Gilham up (without his knowledge) to perform the iconic Giacomo Puccini song.
“She then said she wanted to [do] another song and she asked if I want to do ‘Nessun Dorma’ but I declined,” he told SWNS. “I had a couple of drinks, and there was a chance that the top notes wouldn’t have come out. But now I have her to thank, really, as the video went viral.”
Gillham — who has always dreamed of being a professional singer — put on a magical display to an audience of 12 people inside the small pub, bringing some to tears before receiving a standing ovation. Watch his performance.
In Other News
Discreet, Fitbit-like ear patches that predict epileptic seizures are in development (read more)
A 16th-century shipwreck “of significant cultural historical value” was found off Sweden’s coast (read more)
After years of talk, the NCAA will expand the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to 76 teams in 2027 (read more)
The Comedy Wildlife Awards’ people’s choice winner captured a bird’s silly snafu — see all the contenders (read more)
Disney reanimated several of its beloved songs in ASL to honor National Deaf History Month(read more)
Inspiring Story
Just like her
Who are your role models? For 9-year-old Hayden Stine, who was born without most of her right arm, the answer is Carson Pickett, a soccer player with the Denver Summit who shares the same limb difference as her. “I want to be a professional soccer player when I grow up, and she was able to do that,” Hayden said. “And it really, it fills me with hope that I’m able to as well.” Watch her meet the athlete.
Wishing a very happy 60th birthday to Topa Topa, the first California condor to reside in a zoo. In 1967, Topa Topa was brought to the Los Angeles Zoo as a 1-year-old fledgling found “weak, malnourished, and weighing a meager 17 pounds,” per the zoo. Today, the striking bird continues to be key to helping his critically endangered species rebound, with a lineage of around 300 birds — nearly 100 of which are now flying in the wild. “He represents so much more than a species; he is a symbol of the California condor’s experience from decline to triumph,” said LA Zoo CEO Denise Verret. See a shot of Topa Topa from his early days.
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